THINKING OF GOING TO HOLLAND

[johnorr]

Contemplating my first international trip - to Holland - for a long weekend at the end of the month - departing from the Deben. Any advice on a nice (and easy) destination would be appreciated. Come to think of it, any advice would be appreciated!

 

[sighmoon]

The way we always went was Felixstowe to Den Helder (or is it Den Helden?) though Den Helder(n?) is a dump when you get there. It took about 24 hours. Whichever way you go, it's a long way, and oil rigs can pop up in unexpected places.

 

[PaulR]

lovely country to visit-we have previously sailed orwell to ostende and then in to holland through flushing and into the inland waters- heartily recommend a cruise via flushing to middleburg (try and be there for the market) then on through veere into the veerse meer-quiet night in there and on to zierikzee (know your mast height) and many peoples favourite with good cause sas van goes- either retrace your steps or circular route out and homeward and easy to spend lots of time exploring - we have found the dutch superbly welcoming and fluent in english - lovely country - lovely people - enjoy

 

[Neil_M]

Went across a couple of times last year from the Deben - details & pics from both trips on my website. I prefer taking the north route across & entering at the Roompot, which opens up lots of destinations within easy reach. Personal favourites are Goes, Zierikzee, the Verse Meer & Grevelingmeer, but there's lots to choose from and good facilities everywhere. Drop me a PM if you want more info...

 

[Pye_End]

Ijmuiden and then to Amsterdam / Ijselmeer - but Holland and back is a long way for a long weekend jaunt - depends how long the long weekend is I suppose.

 

[sailorman]

wot boat, sail or mobo
sail 5 days min
suggest Oostende, Vlissingen, Middleburg,Zierikzee. Roompotslius.Deben

 

[BAtoo]

Holland - great place to visit but a long way in a weekend....
Any part of Holland is 100M+ & one leg is likely to be upwind..
We sail from the Orwell and have a 38' fairly fast boat; just did Ijmuiden & took 20hrs steady motor as mainly no wind; went then to Zeebrugge - another 15hrs mainly motor - again no wind, came back from Blankenburg 13hrs motor all the way as no wind.....
IMHO for a first foreign trip do the shortest trip to Belgium & go for either Blankenburg (OK to arrive LW +- 2H) OK and definately foreign; Oostende shorter & nice town, good club (Royal North Sea YC); Zeebrugge - good hole in a storm but otherwise go somewhere else - & lumpy outside but good for washing the decks - Nieuport - nice marina but not much else.
Shortest trip is to Calais but lots of ships etc & lumpy outside if you have to wait.
If it must be Holland try Breskens 100M or so from Deben, no locks, great club but not much else.,

 

[ditchcrawler]

I have just come back to Deben from Holland.Went to Zeebrugge first, took 16.5 hrs in a Moody 36 then to Vlissengen & Middleburg through Veerse Meere to Goes etc.Would go to Breskens or Vlissingen direct next time.Great hospitallity & cheap facilities.Going back in 2 weeks for a few more days & to sail back with friends.